Neuroimaging in Frontotemporal Dementia

Neuroimaging in Frontotemporal Dementia

Overall Status:

No longer recruiting

Brief Description:

The goal of this study is to track changes over time among individuals with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in the brain using imaging and other biomarkers. One hypothesis of this study is that each clinical variant of FTD will be associated with specific brain regions where the greatest changes can be measured over time. The study will compare the utility of different kinds of images.

Longstanding history of major depression, major depression within the past year, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia

Longstanding history of alcohol or substance abuse

Any significant systemic illness or unstable medical condition that could lead to difficulty complying with the protocol

Participation in clinical studies involving neuropsychological measures and not involving investigational drugs or PET scanning will be allowed, but studies involving neuropsychological testing must be separated from the this study visits by at least 3 months

Prohibited medications: Warfarin (for those undergoing lumbar puncture); investigational agents prohibited 1 month prior to entry and for the duration of the trial

Detailed Description:

This is a research study about how different types of tests can be used to track the progression of frontotemporal degeneration, a type of dementia due to neurodegenerative disease that causes devastating loss of social and cognitive functions. The goal of this study is to identify the best imaging modalities and the best methods for tracking frontotemporal degeneration over time. The results from this study will be used for clinical drug trials that will use neuroimaging data as an outcome measure. The study will also provide additional information about the relative value of different imaging techniques for diagnosis and the value of imaging versus other blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers.

Every 6 months, participants will be asked to take tests of memory and thinking skills, answer questions regarding daily functioning and behavior, give blood and urine samples, and have positron emission tomography (PET) and MRI scans of the brain. At the first visit, participants will be asked to have a Pittsburgh Compound-B (PIB) PET scan as well. Participants may also be asked to have spinal taps.